Because your Africa bowhunt will be taking place about 8000 miles from your back porch it is imperative that you get all of your questions answered prior to leaving home. The bowhunters that I take over to the Dark Continent all ask the same questions about the bowhunt itself. Allow me to answer a few of the most common queries that I hear.

Q- Do most hunting operations in Africa offer bowhunting?

A- The sad truth is that most safari operations will say they do, just to get you to book with them. The truth is most are rifle friendly and very few are really set up for bowhunters. You need to call a number of references and ask them all if they thought this was an excellent, well managed bowhunt. I have heard a ton of stories where the bowhunters showed up and there was no practice range evident and after the lack of targets they noticed that the blinds were set up at 75-100 yards with no consideration given to the wind direction. One outfitter had two pop-up blinds that he set up as he dropped off the bowhunters. Of course no edgy African animal is going to walk up to a new pop-up and casually get a drink of water. On the contrary, it will be weeks before you can expect to see unalarmed animals drink in front of you and by then you will have been fleeced. The other fact is that you can't mix rifles and bows and expect that the boomers won't affect the disposition of the animals. Animals typically walk up to a water hole in Africa with suspect. This is where they typically meet crocodiles and lions.Adding rifle hunters will sour the deal.

Q- How far are the shots....do I need to practice out to 50 yards?

A- This is a reasonable question because most Big Game hunting involves being able to make that 40 and 50 yard shot. But it is different on an Africa bowhunt. If your hunting with a real bowhunting outfitter, like Dries Visser Safaris, you will be guided by an authentic and expert bowhunter. The set-ups are all at water holes that are set up not only for 16-20 yard shots but the water hole is typically blocked on the far side so the animal cant drink facing you. Here is the fact...if you are patient and if you listen to your PH you  will get a 20 or under yard shot at every animal on your list.

Q- What poundage do I need to take plains game? 

A- You can typically use your whitetail set-up. I shoot 70# as do most of my clients. I have seen women shooting 50# take everything from warthogs to kudu,  the important issue is can you hit what your aimimg at? With shots averaging 18-20 yards you should be hitting a dixie cup with continuity befor you show up.

Q- What broadhead should I use? 

A- I have definite opinions based on observations. Broadheads kill by cutting tissue and causing hemmoraging. A head that cuts 1-1 1/8...I call them micro-heads, has no place in Africa. These animals are tough and you must do all of the damage you can with that one arrow. Fixed blade heads are the choice of many and can work just fine.I prefer a tough mechanical that has a total cut of 2 inches. The more tissue you cut the better you will do. I have been shooting Grim Reaper mechanicals and doing great with them. My partner, Brent Henderson, shot a Zebra with a 1 3/8 Grim Razor tip head and we could hear it drop.

Q- Is it difficult to judge where to shoot plains game? I have heard they are different than deer and elk. 

A- The answer is yes and no. They are different than deer and elk in that the kill zone is typically tight to the front shoulder. As far as judging where to shoot your PH should walk you through every animal you are hunting and explain the perfect shot. The PH's I work with actually have an anatomy book with them in the blind and if you are hunting Gemsbok today they will go over that animal with detail with you so it will be current knowledge. Not rushing the shot and remember,  making perfect shot placement is important. All animals you wound and loose are animals you pay for.

A herd of Impala.

Q- How tough is it to take 4 or 5 animals on an 8 day safari? 

A- Depends where your hunting. On a well managed property like we have with Dries Visser Safaris you will see 50-75 animals a day at some water holes. The properties we hunt are huge and they are managed intensely. Most of the animals you will see were born there and you will see all age classes. Certain areas are more likely to hold certain animals. If your targeting zebra then there are water holes that are best for zebra -- same for kudu and impala. If you follow the suggestions of your PH then taking 4-5 animals on an 8 day hunt is common. About 95% of our hunters are able to take their animals. If you want more animals then book a ten day safari.